Writing a Thank-You Letter After You Didn't Get the Job

Writing thank-you notes can be an onerous task, even when you're writing to thank a hiring manager for extending a job offer. When you're writing to thank people for their time after you didn't get the job—well, it's understandable if you're not feeling enthusiastic about this particular chore.

But here's something that might change your perspective: A thank-you note after a job rejection is not just a thank-you note. It's also a stealth mission. It demonstrates your professionalism and leaves a positive impression, potentially opening the door for future opportunities.

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By showing good grace and employing a little bit of skill, you can use your thank-you letter as a way to build your network, create a path to future job opportunities, and even get a free critique on your interviewing skills and candidacy.

Sample Thank-You Letter After Being Rejected for a Job

This is an example of a thank-you letter for when you didn't get the job. Download the thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or see below for more examples.

Sample Thank-You Letter After Being Rejected for a Job (Text Version)

Jane Smith
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
jane.smith@email.com

Susane Greene
Director, Human Resources
XYZ Corp
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

I truly enjoyed meeting with you and discussing the position of assistant manager at XYZ Corp. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to tell me about the job and the company and for spending part of a busy afternoon showing me around.

While, of course, I was disappointed to learn that you'd be moving forward with another candidate, I appreciated the chance to speak with you and learn more about what XYZ will be doing in the coming year. I was especially interested in the ABC project and how it will affect the marketplace. As a big fan of XYZ, I'll be watching the rollout with interest.

I hope that you'll keep me in mind for future opportunities, as I know XYZ is growing. I'd love the chance to put my skills to work for an organization that I admire.

Sample Thank-You Email After a Rejection

Subject Line: Marketing Assistant Position

Thank you so much for taking the time to inform me that you have hired another candidate for the Marketing Assistant position with IceBreakers Inc. While I am, of course, disappointed that I was not selected for this role, I am very grateful that you took the time to interview me twice.

It was good to learn that you chose your new Marketing Assistant because they had slightly more experience than I did and possessed a greater knowledge of how to create original graphic designs on the multiple Adobe Creative Cloud platforms (Adobe InDesign and Illustrator). Realizing my limitations in the use of this software, I’ve just enrolled in a certification course at Valley View Community College so that I will soon be able to add digital design skills to my professional toolbelt. I know that this training will significantly extend my effectiveness in social media management, public relations, and marketing communications!

Again, thanks for making our interviews so collegial and informative. I was truly impressed by IceBreakers’ office culture, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for future appropriate positions that may open with your company.

How to Turn Your Thank-You Letter Into an Opportunity

It's OK to acknowledge your disappointment. In fact, it's probably best to be honest about that, lest your letter seem disingenuous. But keep your tone upbeat: Now is not the time to express anger or to rail against the hiring manager's decision-making skills. (Save that for conversations with your friends and family.)

Be specific about the things you're thanking them for: their time, yes, but also the information they provided, especially if you're excited about it, and any special steps they took to make your interview worthwhile, including an office tour or a business lunch, for example.

Offer an opportunity for follow-up. Ask to be considered for future positions. Just because this particular position wasn't a good fit for you today doesn't mean there won't be something even better available tomorrow. If you're gracious in your thank-you letter, you could be first in line for that new role.

Ask for feedback. If you want to, ask questions like "Did you identify any key qualifications for this job that were missing in my background?" Just don't be surprised if the hiring manager doesn't respond or doesn't provide an in-depth answer. There might not be a specific reason why another candidate was selected over you, and even if there was, the interviewer might not feel comfortable delivering criticism. If so, that's their problem, not yours.

What to Include in Your Thank-You Letter

The usual business letter or business email rules apply. Include:

• Your contact information
• A salutation and sign-off
• Your signature (written, if in a physical letter)
• The position for which you were interviewing

As always, your communication should be proofread, accurately spelled, properly punctuated, and error-free. Double-check the names and spellings of the people, companies, and products involved. Nothing is less impressive than a thank-you letter that misspells the name of the recipient or organization.

Take care to render corporate names accurately as well. If the company spells its products' names in all-lowercase letters or with a random capital in the middle, they'll expect a savvy interviewee to do the same.

Key Takeaways

1. Sending a thank-you note after a job rejection demonstrates professionalism and leaves a positive impression, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.
   
2. A well-crafted thank-you letter can help build your professional network, invite constructive feedback, and show your commitment to improving your skills.
   
3. Always maintain an upbeat tone, express specific gratitude, and ensure your communication is error-free and properly formatted.